She grabbed the base of the tree and saw steps were put in place for her to climb.
“This will not do. He will just climb these stairs,” she said mostly to herself. But then an idea came to her. Putting her plan into action, she climbed the first step and then with her hand, tore it out of the tree. And she did this all the way up until her hands were bleeding from doing so.
She wished she had her pack still, but she had dropped it when the shifter first showed his axe.
“I see you, little fat fairy!” snarled the shifter. “Oh, you’ll be so delicious. I think I’ll eat you first. I love them when they’re fat.”
Merry looked down, which was a bad idea, and saw a large dog stalking her. His eyes were red with fury as he set her in his sights. She shrieked and pulled the last step free from the tree. As she yanked, her body began to fall forward. It had happened so fast that Merry didn’t have time to grasp onto anything, hands scrambling and legs kicking she fell.
The dog’s lips parted with a snarl. The yank she felt at the last moment came as a shock to her. She wasn’t expecting to be saved from that ordeal. The dog was no longer underneath her, but she wasn’t safe in the tree either; she was riding a rather large animal down a long path. It stopped and let out a long howl, causing Merry to shudder.
“Help me!” she screamed to her friends who were probably still in the tree and at the mercy of the shifter. “Let me go. I beg of you. You and your friends can have anything you want if you just let me go.” Desperate now, she knew she could not fight these shifters, but maybe she could barter with them.
The wolf stopped, shook his mane, and craned his neck toward her. “You can go anytime you’d like to. You’re the one grasping my mane. I’m not holding onto you.”
She looked down at her hands and realized he was right. She was grasping onto his fur. Letting go, heat filled her cheeks.
“I was almost killed. You … you saved me?” she asked the wolf.
He nodded and smiled with his toothy grin. “I don’t like bullies, and we’ve been trying to catch that one for a while. Sorry we didn’t get to you fairies sooner.”
“We?”
“Oh, yes. I guess introductions are in order. I’m Wolf and my friends, Tiger and Boar, are back there taking care of that mangy mutt that attacked you. If you give me a moment, I can shift, and we can have a normal conversation, Fae to Fae.”
She climbed off of Wolf’s back and turned around to look at the tree for her friends when she heard the yelping cry of a wild-dog. Sure enough, they took care of him, just like Wolf said.
Merry had never met such a nice shapeshifter Fae and wasn’t sure if she was to trust him. She had only known to fear them.
“Okay,” Wolf said. “You can turn around now.”
Wolf was standing before her, and Merry smiled slightly. The fear she still felt was nothing like she felt a few moments before.
“How do I know I can trust you?” she questioned.
Wolf grinned. “Because we are out here on official royal business.”
Merry sighed in defeat. Surely he was lying and this was a territorial fight. These shapeshifting Fae would never be here on royal business because if there was one thing Merryweather knew, it was that Aurora didn’t trust them.
“Well, if that’s so then take me to see the Queen,” she said as she crossed her arms. If this was how she was going to die, it was with respect. She wouldn’t play stupid for any Fae.
“All right. Let’s round up my friends and we’ll go.” Wolf turned and walked toward the others. They walked over to the tree where the body of the dog was laying; Merry turned her head away.
“Oh, Merryweather, we were so worried when you fell,” Aiofe said as she ran to her with Flora right behind. The three fairies hugged briefly, checking each other over for wounds. Luckily they were fine.
“Excuse me, little fairies? I’m Boar, and I’m here on official business from our Queen Aurora.” Merry looked up at the scruffy looking man and nodded.
“Yes, so you say. But I happen to know the queen, and I know she wouldn’t do business with your kind.”
Boar laughed and smirked. “That may be true for a certain kind of shapeshifter Fae, but for us, we’re different.”
“Oh, is that right?” she quipped. “Tell me what makes you different from Raven?”
He bit his lip, as if to hold in a laugh, and said, “Because, Raven is a murderous wretch. And we’re here as part of the Royal Council. Our job is to weed out the bad and bring back the ones who want peace, like us.”
“Peace? No shapeshifter ever wanted that,” Flora laughed.
“Still not convinced then?” Boar asked.
The fairies crossed their arms and shook their heads.
“Show them,” Tiger said to Boar.
Boar nodded and pulled up his sleeve to reveal a small tattoo.
“Is this enough for you to believe me now?” he said as he showed them the symbol of the court; a sword woven in thorns.
It had been on King Stephen’s armor and all the armor of all of the guard for centuries. It hung on flags and banners all around the castle for years. Now it was on the arms of three shapeshifting Fae that stood before Merry and her friends.
“Can we go now?” asked Boar.
“Yes, we can,” Merry decided, satisfied as she went to retrieve her things. She was stunned that Aurora would do this, but surely she had a reason. The shifter said they were to weed out the other types of shapeshifter Fae. Perhaps the new queen was trying to make the evil leave their land—something no king or queen had ever done before.
She would love to see more unity in the kingdom and hoped that Rory knew what she was doing.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rory
My arms burned and my legs screamed at me to stop, but I was being attacked by Gray. I had to fend her off and go for the kill shot if I was going to venture into the Dark Woods and find Raven.
Keep focused. Watch her feet.
Everyone you fight, according to Gray, has a tell before they land the killing blow that takes your life.
I watched Gray for months now as we trained in the yard and always thought it would be something simple like her eyes. But no. It was her feet.
She steps back with her right foot just an inch and pivots herself forward. And every time, she beat me. But not today.
The snow was falling faster now and falling into my eyes, yet I could see her sword and her feet clearly.
I turned and swung my sword high, coming down, when she blocked me. I pushed off of her with my foot and steadied myself. I huffed giving the impression that I was tiring. When I saw her right foot go back, I gripped my sword and straightened my body ready for her blow. It came hard and steady as she swung at my face. I put my sword right under her arms and pretended to slice her chest open; a killing blow for sure.
“Good work, Rory!” Prince Aiden said from somewhere behind me. I turned around and saw him standing with his brother, Prince Hunter.
“How long have you two been watching me?” I asked embarrassed.
Aiden smiled and looked down at the snow. His eyes came back up and landed on mine. “For a while.”
I wasn’t going to fall for his shy guy act. He could stand there being cute and adorable all day long for all I cared.
“Well, I don’t like to train for an audience.” I sheathed my sword at my side and pulled out my gloves. “So, if you do not mind, I have to ready my horse.”
I stalked away from Aiden and his brother and walked toward the stables.
“Your Majesty, if I may?” Aiden said following me.
“What?” I asked harshly.
He looked hurt. “I was just going to ask if I could walk with you a moment.”
Hunter stayed
back to talk to Gray. Aiden looked at me pleadingly like it was urgent.
“Fine.”
I turned and he followed. I hated to be mean to him. I wasn’t a mean person and disliked my behavior, but I was on guard. I didn’t trust these princes or their mother, with very good reason.
He wasn’t exactly rude, but he wanted an alliance. And who could forget his sass at my coronation? He surely was being crass that night, right?
Or was I just being mean to him because he was here walking with me and watching me train when Sawyer couldn’t?
“I don’t know what I ever did to make you upset, Your Majesty. But I’ll do anything to receive your forgiveness.”
I stopped and turned to face him again. “My forgiveness? Your mother did something unforgiveable, and I’m trying to keep my calm about it, Prince Aiden. So please understand that when I don’t trust the mother, I surely do not trust the son.”
Sure, it was a bit harsh, but it was how I felt. I wasn’t expecting his response.
“You mean her sneaky ways about allowing the traitor Raven to cross the realms and becoming her ally?”
My mouth simply fell open. So it was true then. Queen Hilde was Raven’s ally and he knew all about it.
“I assure you, Queen Aurora, I had nothing to do with my stepmother’s decision, nor do I with anything she does. I’m simply here because she asked me to be. I wanted to walk with you in private so … so that I may confess.”
“Confess? Confess what?” I asked hoping it wasn’t something awful. I was preparing for battle and leaving my castle alone with him inside it. I could not delay this trip.
“Not here, in the stables away from Hunter.”
Hunter? What did this have to do with his stepbrother?
I walked fast along with him as he led me into the stables. I stopped by a large black mare and demanded, “Speak.”
He sighed and shook his hands. “Okay … here it goes. My stepmother sent me here to get you to fall in love with me.”
I knew it. This wasn’t the confession I was hoping for. I had a feeling he had more to tell me.
“But I don’t want to marry you. No offense. You’re very beautiful, but you’re taken already. And you’re not my type.”
I laughed. “Not your type? Okay, I could live with that.” I shrugged.
“I’m just picky, I guess. I want to marry someone who I choose, not who she chooses. Hunter is here as her little spy to make sure I do my job. He is her pride and joy, but I won’t play her games.”
I nodded in understanding and looked out at Hunter who was looking around for Aiden and me. I had to respect Aiden for telling me the truth; this couldn’t have been easy for him. Hilde was manipulative, but sending your sons to do your dirty work was pathetic.
“Go on, hurry. He’s looking for you,” I urged.
He sighed. “Great. I’ll have to lie and tell him you kissed me or something. He already thinks our dance wasn’t magical enough. He, no doubt, will tell Queen Hilde all about it.”
“You better not tell him we kissed!” I huffed as I placed my hand on my hip. I was only half serious. Personally I didn’t care if he did, but I was a queen now, I had my dignity. I didn’t want others thinking I would betray Sawyer like that.
“I was joking, Your Majesty,” Aiden said in earnest. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I know how much you love Sawyer. Everyone talks about it.”
They did? That was interesting. It would be curious to be a fly on the wall and hear the details. But first, I had to see what other plans Queen Hilde had in mind when she sent her princes here to my castle.
“Why does she want us to marry, Aiden? What would she gain besides unity?”
He frowned and bit his lip. “She had this elaborate plan that our homes would unify and you would give her grandchildren. Then once she got her grips into you, she’d use you just like she does me. But you see, she doesn’t know your strengths.”
“Just like she doesn’t know yours, Aiden,” I said, patting his shoulder. “But getting her grips into me isn’t all she is planning, is it?”
It was too innocent a plan. I wouldn’t put it past Hilde to try to assassinate me once she had her son as my king. She would have full reign here as his mother and could use her guards to kill me in the middle of the night. Who knows what that crazy lady would do? After all she did grant passage to Raven and planned to ally with her. So her plans could be in line with hers and that could end with my death.
“No. She didn’t tell me everything she planned, Queen Aurora, but I’m sure it wasn’t innocent. She has been deceiving my father for many years and pushing me around since she met me. If I go along with her plans, then she lets me be for a time. But there is only so much pushing a man can take. I was hoping to ask you for a favor, Your Majesty.” His ice-blue eyes pleaded, and I couldn’t deny Prince Aiden of that. He had confided in me and told me something important. Now I had leverage to work with Hilde and get her in some serious trouble.
“Anything, Prince Aiden. But first, you must call me Rory from now on. It’s what my friends call me.”
He bowed and said, “Of course, Rory.”
“What is it you need?”
He smiled and said, “I need to escape Hunter. If you would be so kind to get me away from him long enough to make my escape, I would be forever grateful. I plan on going into hiding and leaving Bordell behind.”
I knew just the thing that would get him away from the castle long enough and to give him time to leave Ancora.
“I’ll need you to ready yourself for battle, Prince Aiden. We’re going to hunt a Dark Faerie.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rory
I sat upon a new horse looking out at the raging ocean. My mother insisted that I take a stronger steed if I was to go into battle, so I chose my father’s horse, a black stallion that he hadn’t yet named. The horsemaster told me that my father had just purchased him before Maleficent took over the castle.
I petted his silky mane and rubbed behind his dark black ears as they twitched with irritation. I realized this horse was all business and didn’t want to be a pet; he was a war horse. It reminded me so much of Gray.
“I think I’ll call you Gray if you don’t stop being so serious all the time,” I joked. He shook his head and made me laugh. “No? You don’t like that name then. All right how about I name you Midnight, because I plan on riding you into a darkness that I hope we can come back from.”
The horse whinnied in what seemed like appreciation, and I nodded. Looking back out to the angry sea that was twisting and churning in the morning light, it seemed like I had been awake for hours, but here it was still the morning of my battle.
I trained, readied my horse, and told my mother and friends goodbye—but that wasn’t even the hardest part. Even though they cried, I remained strong knowing that I had to do this. As my mother cried, I hugged her and didn’t let any tears fall. But when it was time to say goodbye to Sawyer, I lost it at his door. I held the handle ready to enter, but stopped myself. If I was going to be strong and fight Raven to the death, I had to let go of all of my emotions. I couldn’t go to battle with sadness in my heart. Needing to go with anger, I was ready to unleash it upon Raven, because she had a power none of us had. She wouldn’t hold back one bit. Instead, knowing her, she’d fight dirty. I had to expect that and to anticipate her every move.
So I placed my hand on his door and said a silent goodbye. I hoped I would be back and in his arms soon.
“Are you ready, Your Majesty?” Knockwood from my royal guard asked. Turning, I nodded. I rode with him to where all of my guard—men, women, and Fae—all gathered around wearing their armor and holding weapons of all kinds. On their chests they wore the royal symbol and my heart ached, wishing that Sawyer was here to see this with his bow and arrow in
hand, ready to fight. I scanned the crowd searching for Boar, Vulture, or any of the shapeshifting Fae. I only saw a few of his group and some new recruits. He must still be rounding them all up. He promised me he would keep the castle safe when we last spoke. It made me feel better knowing I wasn’t leaving it unprotected.
I touched my chest, where my own symbol was placed over the solid black armor made from Fae steel—a gift from Noctus. The suit was heavy, but it helped that they made me a skirt to wear over my leather pants, making it easier to ride in.
I kicked Midnight and rode toward my soldiers, a lump in my throat, hoping I didn’t mess this whole speech up.
“My dear friends,” I began, “this morning we begin our journey into a part of the forest we have all been warned about since we were children. I know to you I’m still a child, but I promise you I will not fight like one. I’ll fight like a queen and will be right alongside you all.” I raised my sword and they all followed suit. “You not only fight for me, but for the whole kingdom and for the Fae Woods. Remember who you are fighting for when you sink your blade. You fight for the late King Stephen. In his honor, we ride.”
The crowd cheered as I sheathed my sword at my side and turned Midnight toward where Gray and Aiden waited for me. Aiden smiled, a natural on a horse, and placed his sword at his side. He shook the falling snow from his dark hair and said, “Chose short and sweet; I like it. I hate when my father drones on and on before battle.”
I laughed. “I didn’t know what else to say short of, ‘Let’s kill us an Evil Faerie!’ ”
“I think that would have worked just as well,” he laughed.
Gray shouted a formation for the soldiers, and Aiden and I lined up beside her.
“Graylor, will we need all of these soldiers?” Aiden asked her. “Aren’t we just fighting one person?”
Gray laughed at him. “You know nothing of the Dark Forest, Prince Aiden. I have grown up at the edge of it my whole life. There are things in there none of these soldiers have ever fought before. It might take three men to take them down. And if we are too late and Raven crosses into Ancora before we are there to catch her, who knows what she will unleash. She holds the power to the whole Dark Forest now. It is like a child’s plaything to her. She can ask it to do whatever she wants.”
Awaken (Slumber Duology #2) Page 11
